How do you handle your appearance asyou age?

@gravity3
I'm sorry if my post sounded like I was disagreeing with you. It was meant to expand and include those who were not always feeling their best every day. In addition to aging, many of us are dealing with other issues. I myself have PMR, SMM and severe cervical spine arthritis, spondylosis and stenosis. Some days I just don't feel like getting out and seeing people, and that's okay too. Today I'm sitting here enjoying my first cup of coffee for the day and thinking of my grandmother because I'm drinking 8 o'clock coffee and that's what I remember seeing in her kitchen.

@danyysienna111 I was caretaking in my late 50s and let myself go grey because it was two-toned and interesting. And I didn't have the time or money to maintain hair. By 60s, I had turned a pretty gray but noticed how much older I looked than two of my friends who still colored their hair. I was having trouble figuring out makeup. So I went in for the color and a different cut. Noticed immediately that I was now more visible. Lost some weight (I have more to go) and now I have a different body. Not the body before I gained the weight, but not too bad. So I need to figure out how to dress it appropriately for a woman my age. And probably get rid of my old clothes, which are out of style anyway. I haven't shopped for clothes for years and don't even know where to go. Nor do I have the stamina for it.

@danae25 It’s a lovely thing to be blissfully unaware sometimes. The mirror did send me to buy a new serum from The Ordinary (15% something or other that has Nicotania in it which I had read on a dermatologist’s site, is the only good working serum for wrinkles. It’s almost watery. After that and before I put on moisturizer, I now use Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum. It was a splurge at $39 (I’m used to The Ordinary and Cera Ve prices), but I think that it has made the most visible difference and it doesn’t take much. After the two serums and whatever moisturizer I decide to use for the day, I put on my other splurge: Elta MD tinted sunblock. Then I mostly get dressed before patting on one of my 3 makeup choices from the inexpensive Selena Gomez, to the moderately priced Estée Lauder Futurist to the expensive but absolutely wrinkle sparing Koh Gen Doh makeup (I buy it when it’s 25% off and use it mostly when I know I’ll be going out.)

Since adding the new serums and making sure I moisturize very well, I have had compliments from my dermatologist, who only sees me with moisturizer on, and the woman who is the designer on two bathroom remodels. (In process which is a pain but that are sorely needed,) Last week my dermatologist complimented me on how nice my skin is looking, remarking on how hydrated it looks. Dana made a comment today about how nice my skin looks. And I’m wearing my least expensive makeup. I honestly believe that it’s the Korean Peach and Lily serum that has made the most difference.

From the internet: Peach & Lily is a highly regarded Korean skincare (K-Beauty) brand founded by Alicia Yoon, an esthetician and expert in Korean beauty traditions, and its formulas are heavily inspired by South Korean skincare innovations, ingredients, and the famous "glass skin" routine.While the brand is headquartered in the United States, its product lines are deeply rooted in Korean heritage, and many products are manufactured in South Korea.You can explore their product lines and the K-Beauty philosophy on the official Peach & Lily website.

@danae25 Vitamin C works wonders. Serum Copper peptides with a derma roller are great. The derma roller penetrates the skin so the serum absorbs much more. Also, for the deeper wrinkles I apply Tretinoin. Amazon pharmacy can provide it at a decent price. Hope that helps. 🙂

@danae25
I am the heaviest that I have ever been in my whole life! (I am caretaking now and so stress and lack of good sleep probably contributes). I have severe osteoporosis of the spine, so am not “allowed” to severely restrict my diet to lose weight as I usually would do when younger (and they think that that is why I now have osteo—doing so during menopause when really needed the nutrients….who knew?). How have you lost weight? Any tips? Congrats!!!

@gravity3
You are so very right! Currently caretaking for my very elderly Dad, an independent trip to the grocery is an event for me. I have found savoring that coffee, having a while in quiet with a nice candle glowing and smelling great while I read or pray, watering my flowers and admiring the colors, observing a beautiful sunset, smiling at the antics of the butterflies and birds I can see from my porch—daily blessings and Godwinks!

(And no, don’t worry about the candle near him. I enjoy it upstairs in a big room open to the staircase which is near his room, so I can hear him but he isn’t near a candle flame!)

@babbsjoy They put me on Metformin, when I tipped the diabetes scale, and suggested a 1400 calorie/day diet. Told me not to focus on carb counting, but I had already been reading labels for awhile, trying to keep sugar, fat and sodium down. I was eating healthy. This time, I focused on portion control, journaling for the first week. The weight came off fairly easily. NP thinks the Metformin helped. I know it was the portion control. Some foods surprised me by having flavor from fat, not carbs, and I found I could add them back into my diet as long as I didn't overdo it. (Have to watch the LDL too) I can't munch mindlessly anymore while at the computer. I give it the 20 minute test after eating to see if I am still hungry, which I am not. I clean or fix something when stressed instead of eating. Now I see they want you to walk immediately after eating instead of digesting your food on the couch but I probably won't do that. Like Oprah, I have a weakness for good breads, so I choose to eat open faced sandwiches and give up crackers, donuts, cakes and cookies. I have to intentionally eat protein, as it is not my first choice. My taste buds have changed. You do get over sugar and salt excess pretty easily. Sugar does cause inflammation so things that used to hurt might not hurt so much. Good luck to you. Caregiving takes a lot out of you. Be kind to yourself. Sleep helps.